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Why Talking While Walking Works: The Science Behind Walk and Talk Therapy
- Maz Miller
- May 29
- 2 min read
If you've ever found clarity during a walk, you're not alone. There’s growing evidence that walking while talking – especially with a trained psychologist – can amplify the benefits of both movement and therapy. At Walking Session, we specialise in phone-based walk and talk therapy, helping clients across Australia take steps toward better mental health, literally and emotionally.
Movement Enhances Mental Clarity
Walking isn’t just good for your body – it’s great for your mind. A 2014 Stanford study by Oppezzo and Schwartz found that walking boosts creative thinking and improves mood. The researchers concluded that the act of walking, regardless of setting, enhances cognitive function. This means your brain is literally more flexible while moving, which supports deeper reflection and problem-solving during therapy.
Bilateral Stimulation and Emotional Processing
Walking engages both hemispheres of the brain through rhythmic, left-right movement. This process, known as bilateral stimulation, is also a core mechanism in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy used to treat trauma. Engaging in movement while talking through difficult emotions can make it easier to process and release them.
Reduced Pressure, Increased Openness
Traditional therapy settings can feel formal or intense. Sitting in a room face-to-face with a psychologist can be overwhelming for some. Walking, by contrast, feels more casual and less confrontational. Phone-based walk and talk therapy takes this even further by removing visual pressure, allowing clients to open up more freely. It’s just you, your thoughts, your psychologist, and the path ahead.
Regulating the Nervous System
Walking in nature or even around the block activates the parasympathetic nervous system – our body’s built-in calm-down switch. Movement, fresh air, and gentle rhythm help regulate breathing, lower cortisol levels, and soothe anxiety. When paired with professional support, these effects are not only amplified but also translated into long-term coping strategies.
Making Therapy More Accessible
Phone-based walking sessions make therapy possible for people who might otherwise avoid it due to time constraints, location, or discomfort with office-based therapy. Whether you're walking on a beach in Queensland or pacing around your backyard in Melbourne, therapy comes to you – without the commute or the waiting room.
Ready to walk and talk? Book your first phone session today or download our free Walking Journal to get started.
Walking Session – therapy that moves with you.
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